Racecards
14:30 Newbury
Sabin Du Loir Memorial Maiden Hurdle (Class D)
- 15 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good
- Form 4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
not always fluent, made most, narrowly headed 4 out, ridden and every chance when mistake last, weakened flat
- Form 56-532
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Noel T Chance
- Jockey S Durack
prominent, ridden and lost place after 7th
- Form PP4-500
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Mr J E Moore
took keen hold, chased leader 4th, led briefly after 7th, weakened quickly and blundered 4 out
- Form 13-03
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey J Culloty
chased leaders, slight lead 4 out, headed and mistake last, weakened flat
- Form 00
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey A Thornton
prominent until weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 4 out
Mounsey Castle
176- Form 46-12
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
held up, hit 5th, headway 4 out, challenged and every chance last, one pace flat
- Form 04
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey J M Maguire
took keen hold in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
- Form PP
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer B Ryall
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
behind, headway and in touch when mistake 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 05P5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey A O'keeffe
in touch until weakened approaching 4 out
- Form 05-40
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer D R Gandolfo
- Jockey B Fenton
held up, steady headway from 3 out, challenged and led last, driven clear flat
- Form 4-36224
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
in touch, ridden 7th, every chance when blundered 3 out, mistake next, weakened before last
Navale (FR)
26- Form 3422
- Age 4
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer A King
- Jockey R Thornton
held up mid-division, effort when mistake 4 out, kept on same pace
In depth
Verdict
Four-time Flat winner Bid For Fame - including once at this track - ran well on his hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson, and has to be on the shortlist of possible winners of this contest. The better ground than he met at Ludlow will also help his cause. Intymcginty shaped like a stayer last time and may just be done for toe on this faster going. Joly Bois is clearly not one of Martin Pipe's leading lights. King Claudius's form is steadily improving and his third to Spud One at Huntingdon last time was a best yet. Ranelagh Gray was four-and-a-lengths behind him that day and meets King Claudius on five-pound better terms, if you allow for his rider's five-pound claim. This half-brother to, among others, Killusty, has had his problems but should appreciate the step up in trip and could go well. Philip Hobbs' Manor Down has shown little in two bumper events. Hobbs also runs the bumper winner Mounsey Castle, who was a decent second on his hurdling debut. He too should appreciate the stronger test of stamina he will find at Newbury. Nowator was useful in his native Poland but will need to improve on his two British hurdling runs to feature here, although his stable is in good form. Red Socialite is better than he has so far shown but could not be selected with confidence on the form he has shown so far. Brendan Powell's unraced King's Theatre gelding, Sadler's Cove, is hard to assess, while Watch The Dove has shown respectable form and she could improve for a step up in trip. As a four-year-old, Navale gets all the weight allowances. She was beaten two-and-a-half lengths by the subsequent JCB Triumph Hurdle winner, Spectroscope, at Kempton in February. Given that she is likely to appreciate the step up trip, she looks to have a favourite's chance in this contest. There is little doubt that Navale looks to hold a good chance of winning but, in the search for a little more value, Bid For Fame is taken to step up on his promising debut run at Ludlow, and is the selection.